Post by andyskinner on Jan 15, 2019 14:11:16 GMT

I decided it was time to get started with 2nd edition AoF. The changes from 1st seem less important in fantasy, where there had not been that many high defense things, anyway.

First I recreated something like the lists I had in first edition. I use mostly LotR figures. The high elves also include an ent and a unicorn from the wood elf list. The goblins use various units from goblin (mostly Moria Goblins) and orc (uruk-hai scouts as main troops) lists. The armies are similar to what I did in first edition, though I ended up not being able to afford any sword masters in the elf list. Units are generally more expensive, and the elf list is just like one of my 1st edition lists, but missing two units of sword masters. The goblins have fewer units and no 20 figure units. I'm sure I'll just go up to higher points.

I will say I miss the Sergeant. It was fun to have a figure that did just a bit more than everyone else. The current Command Group is very much an abstraction, and I'm normally OK with that, but I miss banners and sergeants.

I'll probably use these some in near future, but I'd like to consider a different orc. While I am not fighting in Middle Earth, I'm certainly inspired by those images. To me, they're all goblins. The bigger ones should be different from the smaller ones, but I'm not sure the good defense and furious are appropriate for my orcs.

If both D4 and Furious seem out of line to me for my orcs, I could just use basic human infantry stats. I'm not using a lot of stuff on the goblin and orc lists, because they are written for a different vision and a different line of miniatures. But I'm using Savage boar riders for my giant wolves. The wolf riders seem fine. I'm happy with the goblins. I'm OK just picking and choosing from the lists. So maybe I don't have to do anything but change the orcs.

Of course, Q5+ D5+ is a bit bland. I'd like them to be just a bit worse than humans, actually, but I don't see an appropriate choice. I'd like to have something to reflect the overall cowardice but viciousness when driven by a leader, or in large groups. I don't like special rules for figures or armies, so I'd like something general purpose enough that it could be in the main list of special rules. (I still think a lot of the army special rules should be in the main list.)

Thoughts? I guess my current plan would be purely to leave goblins at Q5+ D6+ and make orcs Q5+ D5+ (and no Furious), and just have lots more of them.

I'm also not sure my elves have high enough Defense for their armor, and certainly not for the spear elves with that armor and their shields. If I'd painted the bands on their armor as leather instead, it might be more appropriate. Probably would have looked good, too. But there just isn't enough granularity, so I'll leave it.

Post by andyskinner on Jan 16, 2019 15:18:50 GMT

How would you implement a Cowardice rule?

First thought is that it would make them reluctant to attack sometimes, like maybe when they are outnumbered (possibly by wounds instead of models), or when enemy has Fear. But a leader should be able to force them into doing it anyway.